CHAPTER SIX
Thanks for all the great reviews and to everyone who is following this story. As you read it remember we never know where the road of life may take us and who we might meet on that journey who will completely change our lives.
Loud voices awakened Della who was momentarily confused at not being in her room. When she moved the soreness in her jaw and arms brought back the painful memories of the night before. She walked slowly to the door and heard her father's voice.
"Her brother, fiancé, and I have been all over town looking for her. She can't have just vanished. We even went to Andrea's and she said she hadn't heard from Della. Michael is having her house watched in case she is lying."
Della was horrified, poor Andrea. How could she get word to her friend? Maybe she should just face the music. Then she heard Michael speak. "If I agree to take her back things have to change. I will not allow any interference in my marriage." It made her sick to hear her parents try to placate Michael.
The bedroom door opened, and she held her breath, but it was her aunt. Lowering her voice, she told her niece, "I have it all arranged. Your parents have asked me to leave. I made my plane reservations in front of them. Your father said he would drive me to Chicago O'Hare. I told him not to bother I would drive myself."
"How does that help me?" Della wanted to know.
'I ordered a drive yourself car for later this morning. Late last night after they checked your room again I went in and packed a couple suitcases for you and put them in my closet. They are going to the compound for a meeting in just a little while. They are planning their strategy and your mother is going to be busy cancelling your shower. The one thing in our favor is they don't want the authorities involved. Once your father is gone and my car is here I want you to go to your room with your suitcases, they won't check there again and if necessary hide. I will have them take my cases to the car. Then I'll ask your mother to help me make sure I haven't forgotten anything. While I have her in the room you get down the back steps and in the back of my car on the floor."
"Oh, Aunt Mae do you think it will work? So many things could go wrong." Della was shaking.
With a reassuring grin Mae told the girl, "it is just daring enough to work. I am not leaving you in this situation. Now once we are at the airport you will take my place on the plane. You will be met at the airport by my gentleman friend. His name is Liam Sullivan, he is chief of police in Bolero Beach. He will take care of you until I get there."
Throwing herself in her aunt's arms she thanked her profusely. Mae left the room and came back with a wash cloth and towel and told Della to get cleaned up there was an outfit in the closet ready for her to wear. With that she went back downstairs to see what was happening as her family tried to find their missing family member.
It was almost two hours later when the house was empty except for Della's mother. It was breaking her heart to leave under these circumstances, but she couldn't stay. Thank God for her aunt. She heard Mae ask for help with her bags out to the car. The two women were talking, and Kathleen Street was trying to half way apologize. Hurrying out the backway Della stood at the back gate waiting until she heard Aunt Mae ask her mother to help check her room to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.
Thank goodness for the big trees and shrubs surrounding their property no one noticed the young girl scurrying to the car. Mae told her sister-in-law goodbye on the front porch. She didn't speak to her niece until she was near the city limits. "Don't sit up until I make sure we are not being followed."
"How are you going to do that Aunt Mae?" A small voice asked from the back of the car."
Mae laughed, "My gentleman friend is not the chief of police for nothing. I've learned a few tricks from him."
It seemed forever before the all clear was called and Della could get up off the floor. Then it was suggested she lay down on the back seat and rest as she had not gotten much sleep the night before. Before she knew it, the young woman was out like a light.
"Della we're here," she heard a voice say. When she sat up she was at the train station.
"What are we doing here?" her niece wanted to know.
Mae explained, "I decided that your father might check up on my plane. So, you are going to take a more roundabout way. You will take the train to St. Louis. Then you will transfer to a bus there. Then you get on a bus and go to Kansas City, Kansas. From there you will take a plane to Las Vegas and we will meet you there. You will fly under the name of Dee M. Monroe which was my married name.
"I…I have to go on…my….my own." Della's voice was shaking.
Patting her shoulder Mae told her, "I picked a train that is leaving in a few minutes. Your ticket is waiting for you. I'll go with you to the train. Here is an old ID of mine in case you need it. It's lucky we resemble each other at your age. Here is two hundred dollars just in case you need it. Liam is planning for your bus and plane tickets. Be sure to take a cab to your destinations.
"How can I repay you? Won't your friend get in trouble helping me run away?" Della asked worriedly.
"You just get out and let's hurry." Mae suggested. "We will have plenty of time to talk once we get home. Now if you have any trouble in the papers I gave you is my phone number, it is unlisted, and here is Liam's private number."
They rushed into the station, Mae picked up the ticket and walked to the train. "I know it is scary sweetheart, but I don't think they will be checking here for a while. After all they think you have no transportation and no money."
Before she stepped up on the platform she hugged her aunt, thanked her again, and said, "I heard they are watching my best friend's house. She will be frantic. If you can think of a way for me to contact her, please let me know."
Mae assured her she would investigate the situation. As the train began to pull out she hurried back out to her car and headed for the airport. She said a little prayer for her niece's safety and figured she had done all she could for the time being.
BACK AT THE STREETS HOME
Kathleen Street was a wreck waiting for word of her daughter. She wished she could stand up to her husband and his mother. It had been too many years and too much water under the bridge for that. To calm her nerves, she went out onto the porch and sat on the swing.
As she looked for a familiar car or figure to come down the street she noticed a taxicab going slowly down the street. It was disappointing to see the lone figure in the back of the taxi of a man in uniform.
The naval officer looked at the lone woman on the porch and listened to the driver say, "One of our most prominent citizens lives there. In fact, my wife is going to their daughter's bridal shower today. The wedding is next week-end and it will be the social event of the year. Now where is it you wanted to go mister?"
Trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice the sailor said, "I am just looking for real estate. I am thinking of settling down here when I get my transfer."
"Well we got a right pretty town here Captain. I think you would like it especially if you have a family," the cabbie informed him.
Looking back at the house with the women on the porch the Major said, "Let's look a little more and then take me to a real estate office." There was no reason to tell the man there was now no reason for him to ever return to this suburb outside Chicago.
